The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1887-04-08
JOSEPH HOWARD, JR.
Stories About the Man, Whn Fought with
Joseph Pulitzer.
[SDecial Corresnondence

Stories About the Man, Wha Fought with
Joseph Pulitzer.
Especial Correspondence
New YORK, March -
Joe Howard has probably had asvaried and
variegated career as any man in newspaper
dom. But at no time, fancy, did he expert
ence more of the ups and downs of journal
ism than while he edited The New York STAR
The Star was started as an offshoot from The
Sun when Moses Beach sold the paper to Conk-
ling and Dana. 1t began with comical row
with the parent paper, which afforded much
amusement for New York newspaper men
while it lasted Smith and his associates Sc
cured couple of rooms in ramshackle
building ON Tryon row, where The Stats
Zeitung building now stands For two weeks
after the paper was started couple of stall
wart Irishmen paraded in front of The Sun
office with signs reading: "The Old Sun,
under the name Of The Daily Star, is now
published IN fryon row. Mt. Dana appealed
to the police, but all they could do was to
keep the sign bearers moving. Every time
he came out or went into the office there was
a row.
Howard joined the paper when it was about
three months old. but it was n OF until after
the Tweed ring was broken and The Star lost
its political patronage that he began to shine
as its Chief financier. His methods were
characterized by that sublimity Of cold cheek
which is SO far above the grasp of the ordi-
nary mortal that one looked upon it with
silent awe. Time and again his handsome
gold watch went security for loans which
paid the compositors. That was an ordinary
occurrence. 1t almost seemed as if q special
Providence watched over the fortunes OF The
Star. When credit with the paper man was
almost exhausted and the stock could last but
short time, the agent of another mill came
to Joe anxious to sell paper.
"Well, don't know, we are very well
satisfied with the paper we are using now.
We don't care to change"
The agent importuned, and finally Joe
yielded
"You can send us couple of tons and we
will try it; now do go away and don't bother
me-"
In this way supply of paper was secured
to tide the establishment over for a while
longer, thanks to Howard's cool bluff.
AS The Star began to flicker the gas man
was the most importunate creditor 1t got
to such pass that the collector would come
to cut off the supply with his wrench under
his arm and the bill in his hand, something
count" and all would be serene until the next
visit. One day an angel in the shape of
solicitor for new company visited the office
Joe received him with his usual empressn,ent
He was well pleased with the old company.
Their service was good, besides he had heard
that the new company's gas smoked and flick
cred and injured the eyesight; he did not be-
lieve in experimenting anyhow At last
after much persuasion, he magnanimously .
consented to give the new gas trial, and the
solicitor left, happy in having secured the
privilege of putting meter in The Star office.
He had hardly left the building when the col.
lector for the other company appeared with
his inevitable monkey wrench. This time he
was firm. The bill, amounting to some hum
dreds, must be paid at once or the gas would
be turned off. Then Joe was indignant.
"This is a pretty way Of doing business.
Here Is a letter from your president telling
me that should not be bothered. and you
follow the letter. Go and turn off the gas
and tell yeur cashier that I shall see who is
to be obe}eti, he or the president"
The collector departed afraid to disobcv the
presiaeil. oruers Through the red tape of
the gas company it took several days to
reach the president and ascertain the truth.
Then the collector returned with his wrench.
In the mean time the new company had
placed their meter and it was ready to be
"The president says he didn't write no let
ter" said he of the wrench, apologetically, as
lie entered Joes sanctum.
"He did not, eh!n exclaimed Joe fiercely.
4WeIl, you go right dowi into the cellar and
take out your meter. won't burn your gas
another minute"
The man hesitated, he fully expected
stand off of some kind, and had come TO look
upon his periodical trips to The Star office as
y part of llis routine.
"lf that meter is not out in ten minutes I'll
have the prrssman rip it out and throw it into
the gutter, said Joe, steinly
The man was puzzled, but he departed to
obey ortiels.
"Charlie, send mp to the new comp, ny and
tell 'em to turn on the gas" remarked Joe as
be heard the collectors retreating footsteps
On the stairs
The Star continued to flicker, every day
bringing new adventures, and almost every |
:Eeek neH proprietor
One sanguille young man signaliZed his ad-
vent as part proprietor by instituting a sys-
tem of economy which commenced in selling |
5he editorial library to a second hand dealer. |
The Office boy returned with the money and
was promptly collared by Charlie Smith, who
,ook the money and paid all the reporters
ION account"
So it struggled on until it was purchased
oy John Kelly, and under his management it
'egained some of its old power as the organ
If Tammany. But The Star has never been
IS successful as in its first few years, under
Smith, Howard and the all powerful Tweed.
These two brilliant journalists have made
more money before and since, but doubt if
hey ever had so much fun as in the last days
# the old Star ALLAN FoRMAN.